“Too late,” Kyler grins. “You said anything.”
“I don’t sing.”
“You don’t have to sing,” Boone comforts me. “She won’t hear you from the field anyway. You can lip sync.”
I open my mouth to argue but then I see it. Sutton in the stands trying to enjoy herself. Trying not to expect the worst. She’d be there for me. To support me. But I could turn it all back on her just for a moment.
Hmm. Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.
I don’t want to hide my feelings. I don’t want to be subtle and I don’t want to pretend she doesn’t matter because she does fucking matter. I’m in love with this girl and I don’t give a rat’s ass who knows it. Why wouldn’t I do this for her?
“Okay. I’ll do it,” I say.
The room stills. Jake blinks. “That was fast.”
I shrug. “You said undeniable.”
He smirks like a menace. “Oh, your feelings will absolutely be undeniable after this.”
Bishop sighs and glances at Killian across the table. “I guess we’re helping?”
“Yes.” I nod. “You two will be making sure Sutton is exactly where she needs to be when she needs to be there.”
They give each other a high five before Bishop adds, “And recording every second of this hot mess.”
Jake claps once. “Alright, Romeo. What’s the song?”
I think about it for a minute. One song in particular rings through my head. The minute I heard it I thought about Sutton.
It’s perfect.
“I’ve got just the one.”
Jake claps his hands excitedly. “Oh, my God! We’re really doing this? I’ve always wanted to do this! We’ll be like those banana guys that sing and dance in the stadium! What are they called again?”
“Savannah Bananas, dumbass,” Killian smirks. “And let’s not forget what sport they play.”
I check the time on my phone one more time and then look at Kyler. “Kyler, call your sister.”
“For what?”
“Because Sutton won’t be back for another couple hours and we’re going to need her help.”
29
SUTTON
“You okay?” Mari nudges me as we move through the entrance gates, her voice light but her eyes sharp. She’s always watching, and she knows me better than anyone.
“Yeah,” I say automatically. It’s a lie but a softer one than it used to be.
My fingers tighten around my bag as we step into the open bowl of the stadium. The field stretches out in front of us, bright and massive. It’s a bit overwhelming and just for a second, I freeze because this space in front of me is Shepherd’s world and worlds like this haven’t been safe for me for…a long time.
“Sutton.” Mari’s voice pulls me back. “You can leave,” she says quietly. “No one’s making you stay.”
I swallow and look out at the field again. At the players warming up. At the space that used to feel so far removed from me…and now feels tied to everything.
“I don’t want to leave,” I say. That part isn’t a lie. I want to be here for Shepherd. And although Shepherd told me about Micah and how he’s not allowed anywhere near the stadium for the rest of his life, I think a small part of me will always belooking over my shoulder now that I know he’s in Portland. “I’m good. Plus, we’re with Killian and Bishop.”
